I

ANNO 5 Numero 1
Francesca-Vittoria Grillenzoni [1], Alessandra Ferro [1]

Evaluation of Italian chestnut honey characteristics on pluriannual and territorial basis


[1] Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura – Unità di ricerca di Apicoltura e Bachicoltura, Via di Saliceto, 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy

Corresponding author: fgrillenzoni@inapicoltura.org

The present study intended verify the qualitative trend of 450 Italian chestnut honey samples collected from different regions between 1993 and 2007, 40% of which commonly found on market. Physico-chemical, sensory and melissopalynological analyses were performed. In general, physico-chemical results fit not only with standard values but also with the more restrictive ones provided for by law for a superior quality honey.

Also sensory analyses results are compatible with how much brought in the card of characterization. The melissopalynological study has noticed the presence of 173 pollen types among which, those mostly present, resulted Rubus f., Cruciferae, Clematis, Umbelliferae, Prunus f., Trifolium repens gr., Ailanthus, Robinia and Salix and, among the not nectariferous essences, Graminaceae and Papaver. The gotten data have subsequently been elaborated on temporal and territorial basis.